tracked leader, led over 2f out, ridden clear over 1f out, ran on readily
keen, tracked leading pair until over 7f out, remained close up, ridden over 3f out, soon weakened
held up and lost place, ridden over 3f out, no impression
in touch, chased leading pair over 7f out, ridden 3f out, stayed on to take 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
Nonrunner
SUPSONIC was a very easy scorer over further than this last time, but can follow up from Orkney and Swiss Act. Robert Winston eased the selection when winning by five lengths in a claimer last week, for which he has to carry a 6lb penalty here. This surface is ideal for him, he is also effective over 12 furlongs and with Winston keeping the ride he will probably want to make plenty of use of his mount. Orkney is seeking a hat-trick of course and distance victories and is raised 4lbs for his latest neck success. That will make this tough enough but he is open to more improvement and is very much respected. Swiss Act has not yet won on an artificial surface but ran a good race at Wolverhampton when runner-up last time and as one who handles slow ground on turf then he may well take to this. Coming from a top yard a win would be no shock. Benedict Spirit likes it here and is back to just 1lb higher than when winning here in January, so he too has possibilities, but Supsonic is the one for us.
Swiss Act 7-1 (8-13) Held up, switched left and headway on inside over 1f out, kept on to chase winner well inside final furlong, 2nd of 7, 2l behind Distinctive Image (8-4) at W'hampton 1m 4f hcp 0-90 (3) pol.
Navajo Joe (IRE) 11-1 (8-13) Led for 1f and keen, weakened 2f out, tailed off, last of 11, 39l behind Mangham (8-11) at Pontefract 1m 3yo hcp (3) gd in Oct.
Raucous (GER) 10-1 (8-11) Led and disputed to 8f out, weakened over 4f out, 13th of 20, 24l behind Full House (9-1) at Ascot 2m 4f hcp 0-95 (2) gd in Jun '07.
Supsonic 3-1 (8-11) Keen, mid-division, took closer order 7f out, chased leader over 5f out, led 3f out, ridden and soon clear, won at Southwell 1m 6f clm (6) fbs beating Zaffeu (9-1) by 5l, 8 ran.
Benedict Spirit (IRE) 2-1fav (8-10) Led, ridden and headed 2f out, driven and one pace final furlong, 3rd of 4, 6l behind Profit's Reality (9-7) at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-85 (4) fbs in Feb.
Orkney (IRE) 9-4 (8-10) Made all, led steady pace, quickened over 4f, driven over 1f, kept on gamely final furlong, won at Southwell 1m 4f hcp 0-70 (5) fbs in Dec beating Mr Aitch (9-7) by a nk, 6 ran.
